"You know, that's for the people to decide. I know that he was elected,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said when asked if she believed the allegations against the president to be settled. | Richard Drew/AP Photo

Haley: Women 'should be heard' on misconduct allegations

Women who accuse men of sexual misconduct “should be heard,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Sunday morning, including those who have leveled such allegations against President Donald Trump.

“Women who accuse anyone should be heard. They should be heard and they should be dealt with,” Haley told CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “And I think we heard from them prior to the election. And I think any woman who has felt violated or felt mistreated in any way, they have every right to speak up.”

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Allegations of sexual misconduct against the president, which first emerged during last year’s presidential campaign, have been given renewed attention in recent weeks as a tidal wave of prominent men in the worlds of politics, entertainment and media have been accused of sexual harassment, assault and rape.

Last year, Trump dismissed the allegations, which came from at least 16 women, as false and instead pointed the finger at former President Bill Clinton, the husband of his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton. Bill Clinton has been accused by several women of sexual misconduct, including rape.

Many have questioned in recent weeks why Trump has managed to avoid consequences amid multiple allegations of sexual misconduct while similar accusations against others, including Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, NBC anchor Matt Lauer and lawmakers Al Franken, Trent Franks and John Conyers, have been seemingly career-ending.

Haley said she was “incredibly proud of the women who have come forward” in recent weeks, “proud of their strength” and “proud of their courage.” She told CBS host John Dickerson that “the time has come” for a shift in how sexual misconduct is viewed in the U.S., but she was less emphatic when it came to the specific claims against Trump.

“You know, that's for the people to decide. I know that he was elected,” she said when asked whether she believed the allegations against the president to be settled. “But, you know, women should always feel comfortable coming forward. And we should all be willing to listen to them.”